Red Wings F Abdelkader suspended 2 games

New York, NY (Sports Network) - The National Hockey League issued a two-game
suspension to Detroit Red Wings forward Justin Abdelkader on Sunday.

Abdelkader was given a major for charging and a game misconduct, after leaving
his feet to deliver a hit to the head of Ducks defenseman Toni Lydman late in
the second period of Saturday's 4-0 Anaheim victory in Game 3 of a Western
Conference quarterfinal.

Lydman left the game and did not return.

"Abdelkader elevates at contact, turning what could have been a hard, full
body check into a high, violent check with significant contact to the head
that caused an injury," noted Brendan Shanahan, NHL director of player safety
in a video explanation of the punishment.

The 26-year-old winger, who has never incurred any previous supplemental
discipline, will miss Monday's Game 4 in Detroit and Wednesday's Game 5 back
in Anaheim.